Written by Rachel Smith
Directed by Rachel Smith
A new millennium and a new show was Medstead Players' motto for their autumn production.
Not just a new show, but a new type of show. Sins and Secrets was specially written for the Players by Rachel Smith and was set in the local drop-in centre on New Year's eve 1999. A motley collection of characters assemble, from owner Steph (Sue Ovell), who shows her age wonderfully well by doing the 60s hand jive, right through to newly-released prisoner Mike (Roger Steel). Aggression soon hits the scene when we realise that Mike killed fellow villager Gary's (David Cartwright) brother. David's sister Carly (Sue Millett) is set on more trouble, overtly flirting with Mike's younger brother Ben (Nick Cooper). Drugs rear their ugly head and mummy's boy Titch (Gareth Bennell) is pressured by Emmie (Hayley Foard) into trying them, with fatal results. Meanwhile the old timer Dos (Stan Whitcher) is happy believing the end of the world is nigh and just wants to read his paper. The result is reconciliation, even if not renewed friendship, among the protagonists and a fresh start to the new millennium.
The show was a show with music and not a musical. Each of the characters had their song, all modern, and the various parts of the show linked with the music. Music from Pulp, Prince, Queen as well as Sondheim, Meatloaf and Robbie Williams featured, even if unknown to the older members of the audience. Revealing an especially good voice was village policeman and lover of the troublemaker's mother, P.C. Jack Norris, played by Paul Cox. All the cast were equally supportive, however, and the characters were realistically played.
Rachel Smith directed the show, with Pam Kercher. The 'suggestive' dancing was choreographed by Marion Rogers. The whole society assisted in various ways, as usual. David Rae took over the front-of-house management after the recent, and much mourned, death of Paul Prior, who had made that job his very own. The set was, as always, well constructed.
Cast:
Titch, a mummy's boy - Gareth Bennell
Gary, a trouble maker - David Cartwright
Ben, Chelle's younger son (on drums) - Nick Cooper
P.C. Jack Norris, the local cop - Paul Cox
Emmie, a girl with a secret - Hayley Foard
Carly, Gary's flirty sister - Sue Millett
Steph, owner of the youth centre - Sue Ovell
Chelle, Ben & Mike's mum - Anita Prior
Luka, Emmie's imaginary friend - Rachel Smith
Mike, Chelle's older son, just out of prison - Roger Steel
Dos, a village old-timer - Stan Whitcher
